Lithium Australia NL (ASX:LIT, OTC:LMMFF)’s wholly-owned subsidiary VSPC Ltd has appointed Dr Anand Bhatt as lead scientist to steer its research and product development program.
A highly experienced electrochemist and materials scientist, Dr Bhatt has led teams managing large-scale, multi-partner projects focused on the development of next-generation battery materials and the integration of battery storage and renewable energy generation, as well as battery recycling technology.
CSIRO experience
Dr Bhatt joined VSPC after 12 years with the CSIRO, where he contributed to mission setting and worked as an energy-sector expert in best-practice battery testing and recycling and safety/handling (including developing standards and best practices within the energy community).
He has worked with the Clean Energy Council (CEC) and the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) to develop residential battery standards, settings testing and technology forecasting, and with the Smart Energy Council in developing Australian performance standards for PV-connected batteries.
In addition, Dr Bhatt has authored more than 60 journal articles that have had over 2,800 citations.
He is also named in six patents covering electrolytes, ionic liquids, devices and battery recycling.
VSPC
Since 1999, VSPC Ltd has been developing Australian technology to manufacture lithium-ion battery (LIB) cathode powders at its pilot plant and research facility in Brisbane, Queensland.
In August, VSPC was granted an Australian patent for nickel and cobalt-free cathode powders, providing the company with 20 years of intellectual property (IP) protection in Australia and marking the first step in VSPC's quest for worldwide patent protection of this IP.
By harnessing lithium phosphate as a cathode powder precursor, VSPC’s newly patented process has the potential to reduce the number of steps from the mining of ore to the production of battery cathode materials and, ultimately, new LIBs.
This process, relative to the production of LIB cathode materials in general, offers various competitive advantages, such as flexibility with the lithium raw material used – be it lithium phosphate, lithium carbonate or lithium hydroxide
Executive director to retire
Ms Merrill Gray will retire as executive director of VSPC, effective October 15, 2021.